A new program at Auburn University will help transition veterans from operating .50 caliber machine guns to juggling college courses.
Auburn's Veterans Learning Community convenes in the fall and is comprised of 20-25 students who are co-enrolled in three core classes.
"The Veterans Learning Community was created to provide new students who have served active duty, prior service veterans, National Guard or reserves, with a group of peers who understand the unique transition they are going through from a military unit to an academic campus," said Dr. Ruthanna Payne, Veterans Learning Community coordinator.
Faculty and student organizations help veterans move forward and make the transition, giving them the tools needed to work in a new environment.
"I've had a smooth transition because I'm in ROTC now, and they also help with any paper work I may have," said Cliff Johnson, Iraq veteran.
Payne said veterans will take core classes such as Principles of Microeconomics and Appreciation of Music together and a seminar class taught by Dr. David DiRamio, a Veterans Learning Community coordinator and professor who served active duty in the Navy.
During the seminar class, the veterans will discuss different topics that are important for them to be familiar with, including campus resources, academic policies, major selection, curriculum requirements, military benefits and success in the classroom, among others.
"Students are able to support one another through sharing notes and studying together," Payne said. "They also benefit greatly through enrollment in UNIV 1050: Success Strategies for Veterans course, where they can address concerns and questions they have specific to being active or past military."
DiRamio will meet with students once a week in the veteran's seminar.
The first class meeting is Aug. 23 at 4 p.m. DiRamio will also get to know the students on an individual basis and serve as a faculty mentor to them.
Johnson said it helps for him to take classes with people he can relate to, instead of students who are straight out of high school.
"Findings from research on this unique student population indicate that peer support is critical for making a successful transition to college and for ensuring academic success," DiRamio said.
Veterans also will be encouraged to take advantage of academic resources provided across campus, including Study Partners, Supplemental Instruction and others. They will also be introduced to current students who are active and past military who will serve as mentors to them through the Veterans Student Organization.
Also, other professors teaching core classes have volunteered and are interested in working with students who have military experience.
The Veterans Learning Community plans to be more active to get others involved.
DiRamio said in the future they plan to have guest speakers, sponsored events in conjunction with the Auburn Student Veterans Organization and a community service project.
Members of the Veterans Learning Community are pre-registered for the learning community classes so that they are in the same sections together.
Currently, four students are enrolled with 21 spaces remaining. The final summer orientation is in August.
Veterans can call the learning community office at 334-844-5721 to sign up.
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